The appeal approved suspended sentences for talking about Jehovah to three elderly residents of Barnaul

 RUSSIA 


The appeal approved suspended sentences for talking about Jehovah to three elderly residents of Barnaul

July 19, 2024 Altai Territory


The verdict of Mikhail Reshetnikov, a 75-year-old labor veteran, Yuri Kolotinsky, a 69-year—old disabled person of group III, and Anatoly Sarychev, 74, entered into force with minor changes - the corresponding decision was made by the Altai Regional Court on July 19, 2024. Each of the believers received 2 years and 3 months probation.


Kolotinsky, Reshetnikov and Sarychev were sentenced on probation on charges of participating in the activities of an extremist organization for participating in peaceful religious gatherings of Jehovah's Witnesses. The court of appeal changed the sentence regarding the restriction of freedom: believers are prohibited from visiting places of mass events and participating in them without the consent of the supervisory authorities, while the ban on participation in other events is excluded from the sentence. The regional court also decided not to destroy some of the believers' personal belongings, which the security forces seized as evidence.


In the appeal, the residents of Barnaul indicated: "All the accusations [of extremism] do not correspond to reality, as evidenced by the facts from the criminal case, from the examinations, as well as from the words of the witnesses questioned in court [...] completely legitimate behavior aimed solely at expressing their faith in ways peculiar to Jehovah's Witnesses around the world was mistakenly regarded by the court as illegal actions".


According to believers, during the criminal prosecution, it aggravated the difficulties that old age and failing health already create. However, all three are grateful for the support from family and friends. "They pray for us, come to court, stand and wait for us in the cold on the street, greet and accompany us with applause. It touches my heart," Anatoly Sarychev said earlier.


In total, 9 Jehovah's Witnesses are being prosecuted on similar charges in the Altai Territory, two of them are serving their sentences in a penal colony.


The case of Reshetnikov et al. in Barnaul


A brief history of the case


Retired labor veteran Mikhail Reshetnikov became one of the victims of the police special operation "Armageddon", which took place in May 2021 in Barnaul and surrounding cities. Security forces searched the believer's apartment, seizing greeting cards from his wedding, electronic devices and personal records. After the search, the investigator interrogated him in the FSB building and placed him on his own recognizance. Two days before, a criminal case was opened against the believer for participating in the activities of an extremist organization. Later, in October 2022, the investigation opened a criminal case under the same article against pensioner Anatoly Sarychev and labor veteran Yuri Kolotinsky. They were also charged with a subscription not to leave. In December 2022, the criminal case went to court. A secret witness testified against the believers. In May 2024, the court handed down a sentence of 2 years and 3 months of probation, and in July the appeal approved this decision.


Summary of the case


Region:

Altai Territory

Locality:

Barnaul

What is suspected of:

According to the investigation, "he carried out activities to support the existence of the local religious organization of Jehovah's Witnesses Barnaul, including by conducting interviews... as well as direct participation in events held by representatives of this organization."

Criminal case number:

12107010001000020

Case initiated:

May 25, 2021

Current stage of the case:

the verdict has entered into force

Investigating:

The Federal Security Service of Russia in the Altai Territory

Articles of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation:

282.2 (2)

Case number in court:

1-3/2024 (1-68/2023; 1-826/2022)

The Court of First Instance:

Leninsky District Court of Barnaul, Altai Territory

Judge of the court of first instance:

Lyubov Kurushina.


In the photo: Friends came to support the faithful at the courthouse. May 2024

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